SPI 0.96" Color OLED Display Wiring

[Asger81]

Hi

First of all, im new at this stuff, so bare with me.
I bought one of these:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SPI-0-96-65k-Color-OLED-Module-For-PIC-AVR-Arduino-/130769001327?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e72709b6f

It comes with a test code and a data sheet witch is downloadable here: www.wide.hk/download/65kOLEDdemo.rar

Im in doubt regarding the wiring. I though it would be pretty straight forward, but when I googled it, I found this description:

http://learn.adafruit.com/096-mini-color-oled/wiring



It seems my display is similar (maybe a knockoff -they are both called SSD1331) in the adafruit tutorial they are using a 3.3 V logic shifter? What is that, I why cant I just use the 3.3V pin on my Arduino Uno (or can I?)?

Thanks

[Grumpy_Mike]

they are using a 3.3 V logic shifter? What is that,

It takes a signal and converts it between 5V and 3V3 in either direction. It is just a couple of FETs on a board.

I why cant I just use the 3.3V pin on my Arduino Uno?

The 3V3 pin has only a 50mA current capacity. Also if you power that chip with 3V3 the outputs connecting to it from the arduino will still be 5V and thus damage the chip.

[Asger81]

FETs?

The ebay add said its Arduino compatable, but I still need a logic shifter then?

Thanks

[Tom Carpenter]

FETs = Transistors.

A lot of ebay auctions say "Arduino Compatible". In many cases that just means that an arduino and it can be hacked together in such a way that it works. In many cases that hacking is just a level shifter, or getting a 3.3v arduino.

You will need the (logic) level shifter otherwise you will most likely damage the display.

[Asger81]

FETs = Transistors.

A lot of ebay auctions say "Arduino Compatible". In many cases that just means that an arduino and it can be hacked together in such a way that it works. In many cases that hacking is just a level shifter, or getting a 3.3v arduino.

You will need the (logic) level shifter otherwise you will most likely damage the display.

Thanks! 

[MarkT]

FETs?

The ebay add said its Arduino compatable, but I still need a logic shifter then?

Thanks

Or a 3V3 Arduino.  There are some, there will be more in the future.